Gas mixing device



Nov.

27,1951 L.'M. HERZFELD GAS MIXING DEVICE Filed June 8, 1948 INVENTOR. 100/6 44; A/EEZFA-ZD,

Patented Nov. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,576,602 A GAS MIXING DEVICE Louis M. Herzfeld, Beverly Hills, Calif.

Application June 8, 1948, Serial No. 31,710

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to an improved fan type air and gas mixing device adaptedto be connected between the outlet side of the carburetor and the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine to provide a more highly atomized and more intimately mixed air and fuel gas charge for operation of the engine.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a more efficient and effective device of this character having fan blades whose contours provide quicker and finer atomization of any liquid or gaseous fuel particles present in the gas and air mixture issuing from the output side of the carburetor and more thorough integration of the atomized fuel with the air.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a device of the above indicated character wherein bearing means having a source of positive and continuous lubrication for the operation of the fans is provided in such manner that the fans operate at substantially higher speeds than heretofore without undue Wear on the running parts, and the action of the fans is enhanced.

.Other important objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein for present purposes of illustration only, a specific embodiment of the invention is set forth in detail.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a general schematic view showing the instant device connected between the carburetor output and the engine intake manifold, and supplied with lubricant from a container.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken therethrough.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical section, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse vertical section taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 4.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 6 generally designates a conventional downdraft carburetor having the flange l on its lower output side, usually connected with the flange 8 on intake manifold 9 of an internal combustion engine (not shown). In the present instance the connection between the carburetor outlet or output side and the intake manifold 9 is through the novel air and gas mixing device l8.

The device I8 comprises a body ll of substantially the same elliptical horizontal cross section as the flanges l and 8, provided on its smaller ends with vertical bores l2, [2 to pass elongated bolts l3, [3 which traverse the flanges l and 8 in a manner to secure the body H in place, the body I I' having a central cylindrical vertical bore Id of substantially the same diameter as the openings through the flanges 'l and 8 and aligned in communication therewith.

Diametrically opposite sides of the top of the body H are formed with rectangular recesses l5, l5 accommodating conformably shaped cross heads l6, It on opposite ends of a cross bar I! extending diametrically across the upper end of the bare it, the cross bar being held removably in place by screws l8, I8 passing through the cross heads and threading into the body if. A similarly diametrical cross bar I9 is fixed at the lower end of the bore [4 and has passing upwardly through a center opening 28 therein, a spindle bolt 2|, having nuts 22 and 23 on its lower' and upper ends, respectively, tightened against the lower and upper cross bars I9 and I1, respectively. 8

With the aid of spacers 24, inner ball bearing races 25 are vertically spaced along the spindle bolt 21 at substantially equal intervals, as Well as from the cross bars I1 and I9. Upper, intermediate, and lower fans 26, 21, and 28, respectively, are axially rotatably mounted on the spindle bolt 2| by means of outer ball bearing races 29 assembled with the inner races 25.

The fans are similar in diameter and construction but the blades of adjacent fans are faced oppositely, so that the upper and lower fans are rotated in the same direction and the intermediate fan rotated in the opposite direction by the effect of suction exerted through the intake manifold 8 and the accompanying passage at high speed through the bore M of the fuel and air mixture.

Each of the fans comprises as a hub the outer bearing race 29 and a plurality of equally spaced blades 38 radiating therefrom. The blades 38 are of generally right triangular uniform cross sectional length, affording a plane vertical right angular face 3| comprising the leading edge of the blade and a concavely feathered working face 32 on the upper face of the blade, and a plane horizontal underface 33 which merges with the working face 32 to provide a narrow trailing edge of the blade. The squared outer ends 34 of the blades run in closely spaced relation to the wall of the bore I l. The fans illustrated have four blades 38, and the upper and lower fans 26 and 28 have their blades facing in the same direction and the blades of the intermediate fan 2! face in the opposite direction. By means of this facing of the fan blades and the resultant opposite rotation of the intermediate fan 21, the plane vertical leading edges 3I' of the blades act forcibly upon the fuel and air mixture passing through the device, so as to further atomize any liquid particles which may be present in the mixture, and in that way supplement the whirling and mechanical mixing action of the rotating blades 'in' obtaining an unusually high degree of atomization and of intimate mixture of the fuel gas and air, on its way to the engine intake manifold 9.

In devices of this general type which are subjected to the washing action of gasoline and similar fuels it has heretofore been difiic'ult or impracticable to maintain either good or constant lubrication of the fan bearings and short operating life of these parts was common. However, in the present invention adequate lubrication is constantly maintained by providing open ball bearings forthe fans and keeping these bearings constantly lubricated by oil whilethe engine is in operation. This is accomplished by an oil feed produced by suction in the body bore M of the device, and taking the form in this instance of an oil passage fed by a depending tube 34 leading from thebottom of a high flash oil container 35 supported above the device In. The said passage includes atubular nipple 36 threaded in the side of the body H beneath one end'of the upper cross bar H, as shown in Figure 4, a vertical passage portion 31 communicating with the bore of the nipple and with a horizontal passage portion 38 formed in the crossbar H. The outer end of the passage portion 38' is closed iy a clean'out plug 39; and its inward end has-adepending portion 40 arranged directly above the space 4| between the inner and outer bearing races 25 and 29, so that oil drawn by suction through the passage portion 40 and mixed with the fuel vapor so as to effectively lubricate the fan bearings while the engine is running. The oil used is such as is usually used for upper cylinder lubrication, so that it performs the duty of lubricating the fan bearings, before passing into the engine cylinders through the manifold 9, to lubricate the engine 4 cylinders and valve mechanism. The rate of flow of the oil can be adjusted in any suitable manner.

What is claimed is:

A gas and air mixing device for connection between the output side of a carburetor and the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, said device comprising a body formed with a substantially cylindrical bore formed therethrough and through which the gas and air mixture is drawn by said intake "manifold from the output side of the carburetor, a plurality of axially aligned fans, bearing means on said body supporting said fans within said bore for rotation therein by the passage of said mixture through said bore, each fan having a plurality of equally spaced blades each having a plane vertically disposed leading edge and a concave angularly disposed working face, said plane leading edges acting forcibly upon said mixture as the fans are rotated in a manner to increase the atomized condition of said mixture, vertically aligned bearing means insaid body, saidbearing means sup porting said fans within said bore for rotation therein by the passage of said mixture therethrough, said bearing means comprisihg'a spindle supported axially insaid bore, anti fric'tion bear ings comprisin inner races mounted on said spindle and cooperating outer races on said fans, said races being spaced to provide axially aligned spaces between said races, said spaces bein open at the top and bottom for the passage of lubrieating oil therethrough, rollers operatively connecting said races, and a lubricating oil conduit terminating at one end above and in vertical alignment with the space'between said races of the uppermost'bearing. V

LOUIS REFERENCES CITED The following references are of"record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

